George Aquino picks West Michigan's best servers, bartenders

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — While chefs are the rock stars of the restaurant industry, we all know their creative endeavors are only as good as the front line team.

The restaurant staff — servers, bartenders, hosts, server assistants and floor managers – are the marines in the dining room. They deliver memorable experiences, and at times, face the consequences of a poor experience.

As MLive’s restaurant critic and a frequent diner in West Michigan’s booming restaurant scene, I have had numerous encounters with service industry employees who have amazed me with their enthusiasm for their careers. While the public fawns over the tantalizing dishes from the kitchen, there are those who quietly pursue their profession with the desire to deliver an impeccable experience to every person who sets foot in their bars and dining rooms.

This list is about the server who prepares your table knowing you will need a pillow for your back after your recent surgery, the bartender who mixes your favorite cocktail at the sight of your arrival, and the group of servers and server assistants who joyously work as a team to achieve the satisfaction of making their guests very happy. It is my honor to present to the MLive/Grand Rapids Press readers, this year’s best.

The Best Team – The servers at La Dolce Vita at The Chop House

I have come to know most of the servers at my favorite late night haunt in the basement of The Chop House, 190 Monroe Ave. NW. What impresses me the most about the team Chop House General Manager Harry Johnson has built is its esprit des corps and the level of knowledge the staff has about the array of cocktails and cigars La Dolce Vita offers. The environment at La Dolce Vita could border on high-octane testosterone at times, and the team of servers graciously goes about their service in subtle harmony.

“There is no greater feeling than being able to celebrate our guests by providing exceptional service,” said server Rachel Dean. “We love to give our guests a warm, cozy and comfortable place to enjoy a scotch and cigar.”

Klopfenstein was part of the six.one.six restaurant opening team when I helped launched the JW Marriott, 235 Louis St. NW, in 2007. I try to abstain from recognizing an associate with my company, however, Paul receives so many compliments from restaurant and hotel clients that I would be doing him a disservice if I didn’t recognize him for consistently delivering an amazing and memorable experience. He is the pillar among the team of knowledgeable servers who have helped downtown’s first farm-to-table restaurant build such a loyal following.

“I’ve had a deep relationship with food ever since I started observing my mom cook when I was a child,” Klopfenstein said. “I just love to interact with people who share my love for food and wine.”

Best Ethnic Restaurant Server – Vivian Nguyen, Wei Wei Palace

I rarely come across outstanding servers in Chinese restaurants, regardless of whether I’m in China, Hong Kong or New York’s Chinatown. Efficiency usually trumps small talk and over zealous descriptions of the daily specials. But Nguyen, of Wei Wei Palace, defies the stereotype with her soft smile and anticipatory service style.

“I like making customers happy,” said Nguyen, a native of Vietnam, during a quick break from the restaurant’s busy weekend dim sum service at 4242 S. Division Ave. “I especially like to help customers who don’t speak English.”

Best Casual Restaurant Server – Amber Kramer, The Crooked Goose

Enthusiasm for her job comes quite naturally for Amber Kramer, a server at The Crooked Goose, 355 Wilson Ave. NW in Walker. She impressed me with her genuine desire please her customers during my dining review last year. Amber clearly stood out in crowded field of service industry professionals.

“I love interacting with my tables,” Kramer said. “I am always hopeful that my service played a role in their desire to come back to see us again (at the restaurant).”

Best Mixologist – Rob Hanks, Mixologist, Reserve Food & Wine

Hanks is a mainstay behind the bar at Reserve Food & Wine, 201 Monroe Ave. NW. As a frequent guest at Reserve, I admire his ability to gauge the customers' desire for conversation at the bar. He knows when to engage and when it’s more appropriate to just sit back.

He studied anthropology at GVSU and it’s this study of human culture that makes his career most appealing. “I love how alcohol plays a part breaking down the social walls,” Hanks said. “I find it my role as a mixologist to take the pretentiousness out of the current cocktail culture.”

Best Neighborhood Go-To-Guy – AJ Jasinski, Putt Putt’s

Jasinski has been at Putt Putt’s, 1148 W, Fulton St., for 15 years. His charisma as my go-to-guy at Putt’s epitomizes what makes the West Side bar so endearing to many locals. During a burger bar crawl I planned a year ago, I observed him singlehandedly bartend, serve and even cook the burgers that would eventually win the burger challenge.

“I love working for Charlie and Pat Fischer (owners of Putt Putt’s for 26 years). They know how to make everyone, including the staff, feel like family at Putt’s,“ Jasinski said. “And that’s the reason why I love being in this environment.”

Honorable mentions:

• The baristas at The Starbucks at 2757 East Beltline Ave. SE at 28th Street: The baristas at this location exemplify friendly service, regardless of the time of day.

• Jimmy Mocini, bartender at Phil’s Bar & Grille, 215 Butler St. in Saugatuck: Mocini knows how to deliver perfectly crafted martinis while keeping the aura of a small-town bar in check.

George Aquino is vice president and managing director of the Amway Hotel Collection. His civic involvements include serving on the board of directors for the Downtown Market. He writes Dining Out reviews and Travel columns for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at grentertainment@mlive.com.